Lin Yun’s words dropped—he flared his third-rank Mahayana aura, ready to scrap.
“Hm? Third-rank Mahayana?” The old man clocked it, gobsmacked.
“Third-rank Mahayana hitting stage 35? No mix-up?” He blinked, dazed—never seen this.
Normally, third-rank Mahayana topping 20-odd stages was ace.
“Senior, no mix-up—I’m third-rank Mahayana alright,” Lin Yun grinned.
“Third-rank Mahayana reaching here—if I’ve got it right, that’s a record smashed, you’ve let me witness history!” The old man’s gaze shifted—Lin Yun had his respect.
Then he switched gears, “But passing my stage? Tough—near impossible, you’d be better off bowing out, save yourself a pasting.”
He went on, “Last time, a second-turn Tribulation realm got here, took my five moves—hurt bad, passed but knackered, skipped 36 straight off, you’re third-rank Mahayana, your defense can’t match his.”
“Senior, stage is on—quit now? Gotta try, right?” Lin Yun smiled.
“Stubborn sod—I won’t go easy ‘cos you’re third-rank Mahayana, rules set the force, five moves, each nastier than the last—can’t take it, tap out!” the old man said.
He spread his hand—thick inner force flared, palm glowing dazzling.
“Cheers for the heads-up, Senior—I won’t get cocky,” Lin Yun grinned.
“Ape Demon Palm, First Form!”
*Boom!*
He struck—a fierce wave poured out, shaping a giant palm shadow, crashing toward Lin Yun.
Fourth-turn Tribulation realm, sure, but this was a sliver of his power.
“Here we go!”
Lin Yun cranked his inner force—no fear.
Just buzz!
The palm shadow barreled straight on.
Lin Yun didn’t budge—gonna tank it raw!
“Hm? No moves?” The old man gaped.
Normally, challengers threw skills to block him.
Even the judges—Hall Master He included—blinked, stunned.
Tanking it bare? Bit ballsy, no?
*Boom!*
The palm slammed Lin Yun’s chest—force erupted.
The old man pictured Lin Yun staggering or folding—nada.
Lin Yun stood firm—unfazed!
Monks’ bodies were usually frail—rare to tank hits raw.
But Lin Yun’s eleventh-layer Taixu Body Technique? Weapon-grade tough.
This hit? Barely a nibble!
“Senior, needs more oomph,” Lin Yun grinned, cool as you like.
“Blimey, your defense’s got legs!” Shock flashed in the old man’s eyes.
“That was just the warm-up!”
“Ape Demon Palm, Second Form!”
*Rip!*
Stronger juice gathered in his hand—blasting out, the palm shadow tore air, swallowing Lin Yun!
Clear step-up from the first.
Lin Yun expected it—five moves, each meaner, he’d said.
*Boom!*
It smashed into him again.
Lin Yun tanked it raw once more.
*Thud thud!*
Two steps back this time—still fine.
“Second’s got some kick,” he mused.
Judges’ stand.
“He tanked that too? That’s no weak hit!” Envoys and Hall Master He gawped.
They’d thought him cocky!
“Nice one!” Liang Yuan cheered—Lin Yun unscathed.
“His body technique’s top-notch, no doubt!” Hall Master He said, dead certain.
On the arena.
The old man, seeing Lin Yun shrug it off, flashed thick shock in his dark eyes.
That hit wasn’t soft—even second-turn Tribulation realm wouldn’t dare tank it raw!
“Kid, your body technique’s ace, eh?” His look at Lin Yun flipped entirely.
“Senior, too kind—it’s decent,” Lin Yun smiled humbly.
“Third move—you won’t tank this, brace yourself!”
“Ape Demon Palm, Third Form!”
Light flared in his palm, blasting out sharp!
A massive shadow loomed overhead—a giant palm phantom took shape!
More light poured in—beefing it up, bigger, brighter!
“Proper job!” Lin Yun eyed the forming print, impressed.
“Crush!”
The old man barked—the overhead palm slammed down!
*Boom!*
It crushed Lin Yun—his feet sank, ground cracking under the arena’s sturdy floor!
*Cough cough!* Lin Yun hacked twice, face paling a touch.
Still—he took it!
“Still tanking with his body?”
The old man’s eye twitched—freak alert!
He wondered—how jacked was Lin Yun’s body technique to tank this third-rank Mahayana style?
“Senior, two left—bring it,” Lin Yun faced him.
Each move spiked hard—he felt it.
Two to go—what’s to fear?
“Fourth’s a different beast!”
“Here, kid—catch this!”
“Ape Demon Palm, Fourth Form!”
The old man shot forward like a hare—flowing light—palm striking real!
*Boom!*
Inner force stormed from his hand—wild tempest!
This was big!
Way past the third—fourth-turn Tribulation realm edge showing.
A full-on second-rank Mahayana might get dinged!
“No more tanking!”
Lin Yun sensed the terror—couldn’t play daft now.
Before, he’d taken it raw—no inner force.
This? Too much!
